A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY ON CHILD ABUSE IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Children and women are the most vulnerable group of the human species. According to the definition of the United Nation’s Convention on Rights, a child is a human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child. Due to the immaturity and innocent nature they can be persuaded to take part in immoral activities and many such instances they are forced or cheated mostly by persons known or close to the family. Most incidents are reported from remote villages and disturbed families. There are physical and mental harassments against children. The recruitment of children as child soldiers, Child sex tourism, malnutrition, rape and murders are mostly occurring among them. In 1999, the National Child Protection Authority was established to address child abuse in Sri Lanka. The Authority is made up of local monitoring and child protection committees. However, child abuse in Sri Lanka is still remains.